Feds: Watch out for whales near shore!

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If you're steering a ship or boat close to shore, watch out for whales and go slow, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Ships heading for New York City and Philadelphia have struck two sei whales and a fin whale in the past few weeks - more than typical for this time of year, according to a statement.

So NOAA Fisheries issued an alert today, warning that whales may be close to shore and stressing that mariners should slow down.

According to a federal rule, vessels at least 65 feet long must travel no faster than 10 knots in certain areas and during certain seasons where endangered North Atlantic right whales may be present, the statement says. The rule applies within 20 nautical miles (or 23 regular miles) around all major mid-Atlantic ports.

About 80 percent of right whale sightings are within 20 nautical miles of shore, according to the statement.

NOAA has also established a program for temporary voluntary speed limits in other areas when a group of three or more right whales is confirmed, the statement says.

The ship speed restrictions were established primarily to protect right whales, among the world's most endangered whales. The speed limits also benefit other species that use coastal areas to migrate, feed and nurse their young, according to the statement.

No known fatal ship strikes involving North Atlantic right whales have happened in the speed zones since the restrictions took effect. Before the rule, 13 right whales died from 1990 to 2008 after being hit by vessels, according to the statement.

Staff Writer:
Todd
B. Bates, who covers the environment and severe weather, is a member of the Investigations Team. He also writes the popular EnviroGuy blog.
Todd graduated from Connecticut College and has a master’s degree in journalism
from Northwestern University. He’s also taken graduate-level courses in
environmental health, environmental risk assessment and public health.<br />